Capitalizing on the success of the originalGhostbusters, starsDan AykroydandHarold Ramiscreated an cartoon companion series calledThe Real Ghostbustersthat ran from 1986 to 1991. As a new team of phantom fighters will take the big screen inPaul Feig’s movie reboot, Sony will make the same move on TV.
There have been rumors about a possible new cartoon withword of an animated feature surfacing last year, but now it’s confirmed that an animated extension of the IP will live on the small screen. Announced today, Sony Animation is creatingGhostbusters: Ecto Force. The new animated TV series “will further expand the Ghostbusters cinematic universe and focus on a new generation of Ghostbusters in the year 2050 who capture ghosts around the world with help from local teams—and some very cool gear,” according to a press release.
Ivan Reitman, who’s been trying to return to the franchise since the original films, is spearheading the production through his Ghost Corps. production company. Before Feig was given the go-ahead to reboot the films with a team of female Ghostbusters, Reitman had been working on various story treatments. At one point, it was looking like he was going to makeanother male-led versionalongside Feig’s, but the studio canceled those plans. This seems like a medium, even if it’s not a happy medium.
Sonyrecently hiredClash of the Clanscommercial directorFletcher Moulesto helm a Ghostbusters animated movie. While plot details are unknown at this time, perhaps it will somehow be connected to this new series.
No release date has been set forGhostbusters: Ecto Force, though the release states Sony is eyeing an early 2018 premiere. Feig’sGhostbustersis hitting theaters next month, so it doesn’t seem like the cartoon will be able to latch onto whatever hype will be drummed up from this film — unless, perhaps, Sony is already quietly planning on developing sequels, which seems like a definite possibility.
StarringKristen Wiig,Melissa McCarthy,Kate McKinnon, andLeslie Jones,Ghostbusterswill hit theaters on July 15.
